Akizuki Class Destroyers, Japan

• BuilderMitsubishi Heavy Industries
• Vessel TypeMulti-role guided missile destroyer
• OperatorMaritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF)
• Complement200
• Displacement5000t standard 6800t full load
• Length150.5m
• Beam18.3m
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The Akizuki Class destroyers, also known as 19DD, are being built by the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF). The new destroyers will replace the five Hatsuyuki Class destroyers in service. The helicopter-capable destroyers will be equipped with modern shipboard mission systems. The Akizuki Class is intended to escort the Hyuga and 22DDH helicopter destroyers, and safeguard the other Aegis guided warships of the JMSDF. The destroyer provides defence against surface, airborne and undersea threats.

 Development 

 The request to build the first of four planned modern destroyers was made by the Japan Defence Agency (JDA) in its 2007 budget. The keel for the first vessel, Akizuki (DD115), was laid down at Nagasaki shipyard in July 2009. It was launched in October 2010 and commissioned in March 2012.

The second destroyer, Teruzuki (DD 116), was launched in September 2011 and will be commissioned in March 2013. The third and fourth destroyers, DD 117 and DD 118, are planned to be launched in
the third quarter of 2012 for commissioning in 2014.

Design and features

Based on the Takanami Class destroyer, Akizuki is designed to protect the Aegis destroyers in ballistic missile defence operations. The upper structure of the ship features stealth capabilities. The design incorporates a low radar cross section mast to enhance stealth capability.
The C4ISR and anti-air warfare capabilities of the warship are improved with the addition of an advanced combat direction sub-system and the FCS-3A AAW weapon system.
The propulsion system includes an upgraded version of the Rolls Royce gas turbine engines. The engines incorporate latest digital control technology.
Akizuki has an overall length of 150.5m, a beam of 18.3m and a draft of 5.3m. The standard and full load displacements of the destroyer are 5,000t and 6,800t respectively. The vessel can accommodate 200 crew members.

Command and control

The Akizuki Class is equipped with an indigenously developed advanced technology command system (ATECS). The ATECS includes a phased array radar, high-speed data processing systems and a shipboard combat system. It is also known as the Japanese variant of Aegis.
The system integrates UYQ-70 display and control units and subsystems. It receives and processes the information from the various weapon systems including 3-FCS-3 fire control systems, an integrated anti-submarine system (AWSCS) and an electronic warfare control system (EWCS).

Missiles

The Akizuki Class is armed with eight Type 90 ship-to-ship missiles (SSM).
Type 90 is a ship-launch version of the Type 88 surface-to-ship missile.
It can destroy surface ships within the range of 150km to 200km by using an inertial and active radar guidance system.
A Mk41 vertical launch system is fitted for launching RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM), RUM-139 VL-ASROC and Type 07 VL-ASROC.

Naval guns

The Mk45 5in lightweight is the main gun fitted forward in the vessel. The gun can fire at a rate of 16 to 20 rounds per minute for an effective range of 24.1km.
The destroyer also features two 20mm Phalanx Block1B CIWS to provide point defence against incoming short range missiles, rockets and low-flying fixed-wing aircraft.

Torpedoes

The Akizuki Class is fitted with two 324mm HOS-303 triple torpedo tubes firing six torpedoes. It also has an anti-torpedo system to counter incoming torpedoes.
Aircraft

The destroyer has a large aft flight deck and hangar area to allow for the operations of two SH-60K anti-submarine helicopters. The SH-60K onboard the ship is equipped with sonobouys and torpedoes.
In March 2008, the Japan Ministry of Defence, through Mitsubishi Corporation, placed an order with Curtiss-Wright Corporation for a recovery assist, secure and traverse (RAST) Mark VI helicopter handling system to be equipped on the first vessel.

Sensors / radars

The sensor suite includes an OPS-20C surface search radar, a hull mounted sonar and an OQR-3 towed array sonar.
The destroyer is equipped with various sub systems including an OYQ-11 advanced combat direction system (ACDS), a OQQ-22 ASW system and a NOLQ-3D digitalised EW system.
Propulsion

Akizuki is powered by combined gas turbine and gas turbine (COGAG) propulsion system.
Four Rolls Royce Marine Spey SM1C turbines driving two shafts provide up to 19.5MW. The propulsion system provides a maximum speed of 30kt.

Naval-Technology